The Washington Monument is a must-see for anyone visiting Washington, D.C., especially for the first time. Completed in 1888, it was built as a dedication to George Washington. It is located near the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool and is both the world’s tallest obelisk and the world’s tallest predominately stone structure, at just over 555 feet tall.
To best enjoy the monument, take a slow, casual walk around the grounds, viewing the monument from various points of the National Mall.
Racertrips Tips
- If you plan to take the elevator to the top, you’ll need to wait until the National Park Service modernizes the elevator and builds a permanent visitor screening area. You can check the NPS website to see if it has reopened. If so, buy your tickets to the top in advance.
- The easiest way to visit the monument is by taking the Metro to either Federal Triangle Station or the Smithsonian station. It is accessible from the Orange, Blue, or Silver lines.
Legacy Ambassador
I started running marathons in 2008, with the Marine Corps Marathon being my first one! After that, I was hooked, completing four more marathons in the following four years. After that, I decided to complete a marathon in each of the 50 states. As of October 2018, I’ve completed 16 marathons in 14 states + Washington, D.C.
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